I’m 53 years old. Some people say that is old, some think it is young. Regardless of my numerical age, my physical body, which I have abused in more ways than one, is not nearly as flexible as it once was.
As I get older, my body doesn’t stretch as well, nor does it bend like it used to. It just grows stiffer. I knew these days were coming. I’ve had over 20 orthopedic surgeries in my life, so all this inflexibility, stiffness, and pain was predictable. I stand at my desk all day just to keep my joints moving and the blood pumping.
One thing I didn’t predict however, is that my mind is also getting slightly stiffer. I’ve found myself dismissing new concepts and ideas relatively quickly without much thought or investigation. I was becoming somewhat unwilling to listen to new data or new information about topics across many spectrums. Sadly, my social convictions, beliefs, and “bent” were becoming less flexible over the years, and I was unknowingly becoming “set in my ways”.
But, the good news is this “stiff mindedness” is not inevitable. I also think it is reversible.
Don’t get me wrong here. Stay true to the foundational principles of The Gospel. Don’t waver on the truths and promises of God. At the same time continue to “move your mind”. Keep it loose. Listen, read, converse, dialogue, write, pray, watch, challenge and stretch your mind regularly.
Just because my body is getting stiffer, doesn’t mean my mind has to as well. There are always new things to learn and new insights to acquire.
I will probably end up in a wheel chair relatively soon, buy my mind will be running as fast as ever!
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